Dr. Charles Sanislow speaks of his decades long career in medicine with love. He recently retired as medical director of the Vascular Lab at MidMichigan Medical Center – Midland, concluding 54 years of service.

A native of Rahway, New Jersey, young Charlie Sanislow showed early promise as an outstanding academic scholar with a strong interest in science. He graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in 1952 and immediately entered the University of Maryland School of Medicine. There he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society, and graduated magna cum laude with his medical degree.

During his medical school training Sanislow developed an interest in surgery, which he pursued through his postgraduate training in general and vascular surgery at the University of Michigan Medical Center from 1956 to 1961. After completing his postgraduate work, he continued on as a member of the department of surgery faculty from 1961 to 1962.

“My education and experience at the University of Michigan were extraordinary,” Sanislow said. “It helped me shape an early passion for surgery because of the high standards set by the outstanding faculty at the University of Michigan and the satisfaction of responding to the challenges one experiences as a surgeon with the attendant. These were awesome responsibilities.”

Military service followed, with Sanislow assigned to Otis Air Force Base in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, as captain and chief of surgical services for the 551st U.S. Air Force Hospital. This hospital provided medical support for President John F. Kennedy’s summer White House in Hyannis, Massachusetts, and has been marked in history as the birthplace of Patrick Bouvier Kennedy.

The practice of medicine is a science and an art, and both combine to form the human connection. Sanislow reflects on his care and treatment of every patient as a priority, yet, throughout his medical career, he can cite examples of some patients who were extraordinary, the wife of President Kennedy was one.

As a chief of surgery at the Air Force hospital, he was in the operating room assisting in the cesarean delivery of Jacqueline Kennedy’s son, Patrick. The infant, delivered just 66 minutes after Mrs. Kennedy’s arrival, immediately went under the care of the pediatrician on staff. Fighting a respiratory ailment, he was transferred to Boston’s Children’s Hospital where two days later he passed away due to respiratory failure. He would likely have survived today with the use of ECHMO, a cardiovascular and respiratory support system. The whole nation mourned the Kennedy family’s loss.

“There is a sense of awe when you are involved in the care of a person with the prominence of First Lady Jackie Kennedy. But her international fame did not vary my role as a physician, which is to provide the very best care to each and every patient, regardless of their stature or circumstances,” Sanislow said.

In a file folder with memorabilia of his past, Sanislow has a personal note attached to a clipping from a circa 1970 Midland Daily News article titled “Survival of Tammy Jo, a Modern Day Miracle.” His handwritten notation says, “This is one of my greatest experiences. And then to be invited to her wedding!”

The story goes as follows: Tammy Jo weighed just 1pound, 12 ounces at birth, comfortably fitting in one’s hand. She was born three months premature, a challenge for an infant born even today with modern advanced support. Much credit for her survival goes to the nursing care and attention of the medical staff aided by Sanislow’s surgical procedure. The surgery included inserting a feeding tube directly into her stomach to provide much needed nutrition and avoid respiratory complications. The newspaper article says, “The chances of a baby surviving after such a shaky start are about one in 100,000, and the odds against her life went up when she dropped to 1 pound 4 oz. At that time, Tammy Jo is one of just ten such babies in recorded history to survive such a beginning.”

It is no wonder Sanislow was thrilled to be invited to her wedding.

At that time Sanislow was a private practice physician in partnership with two others, Dr. Dan Bulmer and Dr. Robert Pollock, having formed this practice in 1965; more recently, as Midland Surgical Group, with doctors Brown, Ludwig and Horness.

“One of the reasons why I chose to come to Midland was the high quality of care provided here,” Sanislow said. “The medical staff was outstanding, as it is today, and I was proud to be part of such a distinguished group. The rapport we had was strong and each of us focused on doing our best to advance the medical care in our community.”

The MidMichigan Medical Center – Midland Board of Directors honored Sanislow in 2002 by naming him a Distinguished Supporter, recognizing his special place in the organization’s history. He was described as one who has earned the respect from colleagues, staff and patients alike. A man of strong character and conviction, he is known for his ability to bring people together to discuss difficult or sensitive issues. In addition, Sanislow has chaired or been a member of most medical staff committees. His leadership is also extended to board committees of the medical center, as well as serving a term on the MidMichigan Health board. Sanislow was also appointed by Governor Engler to the State Board of Medicine and was chairman of the Credentials Committee of American College Surgeons from 1980 to 2011.

The Distinguished Supporters Award was well deserved as over the years Sanislow had proven himself a pioneer in many ways.

“I could have gone back to the University of Michigan or other places during the course of my career, but I chose stay in Midland and could not have made a better decision,” Dr. Sanislow said. “During my medical career I have a had the opportunity to accomplish many firsts and all in cooperation and collaboration with other members of the medical staff and administration.”

Always a life-long learner he led MidMichigan to be an accredited provider of continuing medical education in 1977, underscoring the importance of continuing education for his fellow physicians and other clinical staff members.

Additional career highlights, include:

• He led the development of MidMichigan’s vascular surgery program and performed the first vascular surgery procedure at the Medical Center in 1962.

• He worked with Dow Corning Corp. in developing and placing in a patient the first silicone IV catheter which provided nutritional fluid.

• He performed MidMichigan’s first minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical procedure.

• He implanted the first intra-abdominal chemotherapy pump at the Medical Center.

• He had a leadership role in developing MidMichigan’s trauma care and EMS program and served numerous years on the first Midland County Ambulance Board.

• He was instrumental in the development of MidMichigan’s Breast Health Program and Vascular Lab with the collaboration and support of the medical and administrative staffs.

• Before burn center care became available in the region, he worked with others in Midland to develop a burn care program locally by templating the standards of the burn unit of the University of Michigan Medical Center. From this evolved a program recognizing the risks to children of flammable clothing. With the leadership of his wife, Sallie, a registered nurse, and local community advocate Joann Waltz, and supplemented with assistance from Dow, they eventually spearheaded the “flammable fabrics act” eliminating flammable apparel for children 12 and younger. Their actions and advocacy were based on a study germinating from the burn care of children in Midland.

Sanislow was an early advocate for MidMichigan Health’s affiliation with the University of Michigan Health System, now referred to as Michigan Medicine.

Sanislow does not take sole credit for any hallmarks of the past. “MidMichigan is a great organization and one that believes in teamwork. We put the patient first and it takes a team focus to do that. It requires a commitment by everyone.”

“Looking back there may be things I could say I could have done differently, but certainly no regrets with the road traveled. I have confidence in the outstanding quality of the medical staff and the direction of MidMichigan Medical Center - Midland. The Heart and Vascular Center now under construction on the Midland campus is a fine example of a commitment to excellence for our community and the region. I’ve been privileged to work among the best and I’ve given my best. I celebrate all of my years here.”

Sanislow is married to Sallie, a University of Michigan registered nurse who provides “the enduring support and the love of my life.” They have four children, Dr. Charles III, a professor and neuroscientist; James, a corporate attorney, and Todd, both vice presidents in their respective companies; and Kathryn, an artist and United States Tennis Association (USTA) certified instructor and pro.

They have eight grandchildren, one of whom is a pre-med student at the U-M.

“I humbly thank this community, my colleagues, the nurses, and all of those that have availed me the wonderful opportunity to fulfill my professional career and further, raise our family in Midland with such outstanding resources and unlimited opportunities. Sallie and I say thank you all!”